Tag Archives: Dinner

11.09.16
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Within Esquimalt Lies One Great Kyubey

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Kyubey Sushi
612 Head St.
Esquimalt, BC
(778) 433-9696

E: I’m finding that the out-of-the-way Japanese diners do better at serving up delicious meals than those in town. In the municipality of Oak Bay, there’s Osaka and in the district of Esquimalt, there’s Kyubey. In Saanich (Lower), there’s Yoshi. While there’s none to find in Gordon Head (yet) maybe one day that will come. Sorry Sushi Island, but there’s nothing ‘traditional’ I find in your dishes. While they do serve Okonomiyaki, I’m finding that going out to the docks on the opposite end of the city is where I need to be to get my serving.

The thought of the shrimp pancake offered here had me pulling James away from his plans in the morning and diving deep into this municipality for a touch of authentic fare.

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10.12.16
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[Seattle, WA] Getting drunk on Sazerac

IMG_20160407_205656540Sazerac Restaurant
1101 4th Ave.
Seattle, WA
(206) 624-7755

Once the ragin’ Cajun in me saw the Sazerac offered upscale Southern (Louisiana) inspired food, I knew I had to make this place a must during my next visit to Seattle! As I stay in different hotels, I like to explore what’s nearby instead of walking to another district for my usual grub. This city has more wide and varied tastes within reach in the downtown core than any other I’ve been to. While my knowledge is mostly centered around feasting in either Emerald City or Hollywood North, there’s a reason why I love living in the Pacific Northwest. The access to seafood is immediate and fresh.

I think both cities have eateries that are worthy of earning at least a star in the Michelin guide. That book is not the be all end all for diners looking for new and exotic tastes. At this place, their Buttermilk Panna Cotta is an Italian dish that I could eat forever! The strawberry foam settled upon my lips like an air nymph and I was sent to heaven with how added basil cream made my tongue dance. A symphony with little gelatinous berry nubs was playing hallelujah in my mouth!

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10.05.16
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[Everett, WA] They Build Their Meals High at The Totem

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The Totem
4410 Rucker Ave
Everett, WA
(425) 252-3277

The Totem Family Diner has been serving the residents of Everett, Washington since 1953 and I was there with my friends, enjoying some time with them before returning to Seattle again for yet another event. This time, I’ve gone down to checking out BrickCon to get my LEGO on.

I enjoyed relaxing in this diner’s quiet and casual ambience. It had the homey feeling of people coming here to share stories, relax and chill in after a stressful day at the office. One can have soda and coffee refills as often as they like, but when I had an orange juice it was sadly limited to one. Thankfully I was replenished with water to wash the huge Tucson Omelet I ate down. I only needed half of it to keep me going for the rest of the day, and just how I managed two-thirds is a miracle in itself.

I was told by my friends most people are not able to finish their dishes and take the rest home.

Four eggs made up the eye budging meal. A sweetly seasoned and smoked pulled pork lined the inside. The pepper jack cheese oozed with delight and the green peppers crackled as I chewed. I didn’t find the onions special only because I favour the sweeter red variety’s more flavour enhancing, especially raw, over the traditional yellow. This half cake was very filling and I wondered how I was going to wolf down the biscuit that came with it.

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I maybe ate the equivalent of one sliced bread to go with the avocado salsa that topped my meal. This topping made this meal king. I had little crouton sized bits of starch to fit into my mouth along with some egg. But I don’t know how anyone can consider this as a small breakfast, let alone a lunch. I’d be afraid. I’m not against large meals but I’m thinking I understand why the obesity rate is high in the United States because some restaurant’s idea of a portion is the size of a dinner plate instead of half.

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09.29.16
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Want Sushi Cake? The Next’s Creativity Shows No Bounds

img_20160928_185748779#104-240 Cook St.
Victoria, BC
(778) 433-4490

If you want a sushi cake for your birthday, The Next Modern Japanese Cuisine certainly delivers. You have to call in advance about it (I’m not sure how long this promotion is going to last) and they need at least a days notice to collect the ingredients in order to prepare it to your specifications. As much as I’d love to try fugu (blowfish), I’m sure that’s not easily available in North America.

Having some knowledge in what’s available for the season is required, otherwise the chefs will use their judgement. In what I asked for was a complete representation of every type of fish often seen in a regular menu. I tasted tuna, salmon, red snapper, ahi, scallop and prawn. They were definitely quality cuts and the rice was even sweeter than I recall. The mackerel was very mild and the bed of rice was huge. This cake alone is a meal in itself! The inclusion of salmon roe was a nice touch, and this particular flavour is not for everyone. When paired with the avocado, my taste buds were in for a treat!

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09.21.16
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Buffet A-Plenty at Hope Key

Hope Key Front Door

Hope Key
1313 Douglas St.
Victoria, BC
(250) 382-6048

J: Hope Key is one of those places I was introduced to by a friend a few years ago. Although I have previously visited here, I’ve never tried their food or their drinks. My only experience with Hope Key was relaxing in their loft while my friend enjoyed her bubble tea. But now things are different, I was hungry and they were offering a dinner buffet after many restaurants in downtown Victoria had closed for the night. With Ed just as desperate to find a place to eat, he stepped through the doorway willingly.

E: On a late night, we were without a chance in hell to find a place that would be open after 9pm. James keeps on thinking we’ve run out of places to hit to review, but I always point out that it depends on how much you’re willing to spend on a meal. Given his frugalness, that pretty much eliminates many places.

I wasn’t prepared to spend a lot either since my dollars were depleted after several travel excursions. Vancouver and Seattle can do that. We were without a hope until he mentioned this place.

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09.14.16
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Shakin’ Up The Sushi Establishment with Rockn’ Rolls

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Rockn’ Rolls Modern Sushi
1 Dallas Rd C1
Victoria, BC

(250) 888-5336

No matter where you go to eat sushi, the basics will more or less taste the same. The taste found in tuna and salmon rolls are distinguished by the freshness of the fish (I have yet to find a place to beat what I had in Sidney, BC ages ago), rice to meat ratio used and where the fish came from. Where the rice is harvested from matters, but ultimately, it is the temperature of this grain that makes the difference. Over at Rock n’ Rolls Modern Sushi at the Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria, BC, they pride themselves on using locally sourced ingredients.

This operation is all about 100% sustainability and it shows in the Polynesian Roll. Made using local crab, bell peppers and sweet squash, this delectable maki roll is a taste for the senses! Rockfish was used, and this is a topping I do not usually see in menus. Sometimes, whitefish is listed, and the last time I really appreciated its taste was over at Southern Lake Tahoe, where a buddy and I went to The Naked Fish — I have fond memories of my sushi experience there.

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